Veteran Sachin Tendulkar and young Mahendra Singh Dhoni have emerged as front-runners to lead India in an upcoming home one-day series against Australia, media reported on Monday.

The selectors will meet in Mumbai on Tuesday to name a replacement for Rahul Dravid, who surprisingly quit the captaincy last week to concentrate on his batting. The squad will also be named the same day.

The media also suggested the national selectors had already sounded out Tendulkar for a third stint as skipper and were awaiting a response from the champion batsman.

Tendulkar has already led India twice, his last stint coming to end in 2000 following a two-Test series against South Africa at home.

"Tendulkar has broken almost every record. He's the best for the job," former national selector Madal Lal was quoted as saying in the Mid Day newspaper.

But former Indian chief selector Kiran More said he would prefer a "youngster" to do the job.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Dhoni, 26, is leading the team in the ongoing Twenty20 World Championships in South Africa.

Australia will arrive in India later this month to play seven one-day internationals.

India will then play a home Test and one-day series against Pakistan before leaving for Australia for a Test series.

India are also without a coach since former Australia captain Greg Chappell quit after the team's first-round exit from the World Cup in the Caribbean early this year.